DARLENE DELAINE STALNAKER RUSSELL, age 93 years, a resident of Elkins, WV and Boynton Beach, FL departed this life Friday, November 4, 2011 at her home.
She was born Monday, May 20, 1918, at Kerens, WV a daughter of the late Harley and Pearl Godwin Stalnaker. On November 1, 1938 she was married to Thomas C. Russell, who preceded her in death on September 24, 1945.
Surviving are one daughter, Sue Ellen Brown and husband Richard, of Boynton Beach, FL, one grandson, Randall Brown and wife Sue, of Indian Trail, NC; and one great granddaughter, Kristen Lynn Brown.
She is preceded in death by her step-mother Stella Salisbury Stalnaker and one grandson, Ricky Brown.
Mrs. Russell was a graduate of Elkins High School, with the class of 1936, and attended the Barberton School of Commerce in Barberton, OH following graduation. She was a former employee of Tygart’s Valley High School, where she served as secretary for nine years; and retired from Citizens National Bank in 1980, where she had been employed for over 25 years. She was a past member of the D.A.R. Mrs. Russell was a member of the First Assembly of God Church, and in recent years she attended the Barwick Road Baptist Church in FL, and the Landmark Baptist Church in Elkins. Since becoming a Christian over 40 years ago, she never waivered from her faith and was never ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus. In her quiet way, she influenced many lives. As one of the bank officers said at her retirement dinner, Darlene was a lady.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Monday. Final Rites will be conducted at the funeral home chapel, Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11:30 AM. The Rev. Tim Shuttlesworth will officiate and interment will follow at the Mill Creek Cemetery at Mill Creek, WV
